A&M finds groove against Oklahoma State

Aggies force 7 turnovers, score 62 points in win over Oklahoma St.

COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal insists the Aggies never have lacked confidence in themselves.

But certainly, they needed to feel better following last week's deflating loss at Colorado. Struggling Oklahoma State might have provided the perfect tonic as A&M routed the Cowboys 62-23 in front of 78,451 at Kyle Field.

It was by far the Aggies' most complete game of the season as they dominated on offense — scoring on their first five possessions — and defense — forcing OSU into seven turnovers.

Never mind that it came against an Oklahoma State team that was without starting quarterback Bobby Reid of North Shore and has yet to win in the Big 12 in three games this season. This was about the Aggies taking an important step as they go into a critical two-game stretch at Kansas State next week and against Iowa State the following week at home.

"We feel like last week we didn't execute well, so we put it on ourselves to execute and go out and make plays," McNeal said. "And that's what we did."

Big day for McNeal

For the first time in two weeks, the offense seemed in sync. McNeal led the way with 150 yards and a touchdown rushing and 263 yards and three touchdowns passing (18-of-26, one interception).

Their output was made more impressive by the performance of several young players such as freshman running back Jorvorskie Lane and freshman receiver Pierre Brown. With starting running back Courtney Lewis sidelined for the second week with a nagging ankle injury, Lane and his 255-pound frame rumbled for 139 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries to give A&M a pair of 100-yard rushers for the game.

On defense, the Aggies got a big game from freshman cornerback Devin Gregg, who had four tackles and a forced fumble early in the first quarter.

The performances of the young players proved critical with injuries to veteran players threatening to derail the season.

"Everybody stepped up. They had to," McNeal said. "If we were going to win this game, they were going to have to step up, young or not. When you step out there on the field, we look at them like one of us, there is no difference."

Also putting forth an impressive effort was an Aggies defensive unit that had struggled all season to get teams off the field on third downs and to come up with turnovers. It did both Saturday, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Cowboys to 5-of-12 on third down.

Game-changing play

The biggest turnover belonged to safety
Jaxson Appel
, who intercepted a deep pass by
Al Peña
at the A&M two-yard line early in the third quarter.

That interception set in motion a nine-play, 98-yard TD drive that squashed any momentum OSU (3-3, 0-3) might have gained from a 17-point second quarter that narrowed the deficit to 27-17 at halftime. A&M outscored the Cowboys 35-6 during the second half.

Aggies coach Dennis Franchione called Appel's interception pivotal after the Cowboys had driven to the A&M 42 on the opening drive of the second half.

"I would hope the outcome would have still been good for us," said Franchione, whose offense fumbled five times but lost only one. "But that allowed them not to get any momentum in the second half, and we pretty well gained control in the third quarter."

terrance.harris@chron.com

OKLAHOMA STATE-TEXAS A&M SUMMARY

Thrown into the fire

Four players made their starting debuts for the Aggies this season during Saturday's game against Oklahoma State.

Freshman Devin Gregg started at defensive back, and freshman receivers Howard Morrow and Pierre Brown made their first starts of their careers. Junior running back Brandon Leone made his first appearance of the season in place of injured starter Courtney Lewis, who missed his second consecutive game.

Leone, who had been sidelined with an injury since the first scrimmage of fall camp. had four fumbles, one resulting in a turnover.

Injury update

Aggies WR
Jason Carter
said he pulled himself from the game in the second half because of a lingering injury. He said he should be fine for next week's game.

Movement on O-line

Senior
Dominique Steamer
started ahead of senior
Aldo De La Garza
at strong guard Saturday, but he was playing at tackle before the day was over.